In natural settings, leaves, bud scales, twigs, fruits, and flakes of bark all accumulate on the ground to form a layer of debris. Encouraging "duff" helps you feed, shelter, and protect wildlife.

First, try planting trees and shrubs with berries.

Gardeners play an important role in creating year-round backyard bird habitat by planting trees, shrubs, vines and flowers to provide birds with sources of food and shelter.

These well-mannered guests will "dress up" your garden in return for dinner.

Five late-season strategies that are good for the birds

Gardeners in hot-summer areas need to choose their plants carefully.

The aromatic oils in basil release the spicy fragrance of cinnamon, anise, clove, or lemon.

Purple, burgundy, and black foliage may be an afterthought to gardeners who love sparkling, sunny colors.

An excellent container plant because of its consistent show of color, twinspur blooms from early summer to frost on slender spikes of apricot, shell pink, and mauve flowers.

Culver's root, a close relative of veronica, looks like a larger version of its relative.